Herzing University
Request Info Apply Now
Scholarships Nursing Programs Campus Locations
Program availability

Program availability

Your Preferences

Update your Zip code, preferred campus, and preferred program

Dental Hygiene Bridge Program
Go from LDH/RDH to BSDH Online

You can go from licensed/registered dental hygienist to a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene (LDH/RDH to BSDH) by completing our online bridge program.

Program Length

12 Mo.

Format

Online

Required Cert.

LDH/RDH

Transfer Credits

Up to 90
calendar

NEXT START January 5th

Waived Enrollment Fee

Request Info Apply Now

Quick facts about our Dental Hygiene Bridge program designed for current licensed/registered dental hygienists

FormatAll courses are delivered 100% online, including both general education and core dental hygiene coursework
EligibilityBuilt for licensed dental hygienists who hold a CODA accredited associate degree in dental hygiene
Transfer CreditA minimum of 77 semester credit hours is required, to be fulfilled by transfer or elective credits. You can potentially transfer 13 additional credits for a total of 90 approved transfer credits.
CurriculumA bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene emphasizes higher-level non-clinical skills in leadership, management, public health, and education
QuickPathsTransfer credit, stackable credentials, and adaptive learning technology build a faster pathway to a higher education with Herzing University
AccreditationAccredited by the Higher Learning Commission

Learn More Today!

Classes start: January 5th
US News Best Online Programs Bachelor's 2025 Badge

Ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the best online bachelor's programs in 2025

Follow a pathway to greater heights in the dental field with a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene

The Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene - Bridge program is a 120-credit hour undergraduate program which prepares current dental hygienists to advance their education and practice.

Eligible applicants automatically transfer 77 credits into the program and may transfer up to an additional 13 credits upon approval, allowing completion of the program in as few as 30–43 in 12 months on average.

The online bridge program provides advanced coursework in dental hygiene research, technology applications, contemporary professional issues, and leadership, with elective options in dental hygiene management or education.

Advance your dental career by building leadership, education, and business skills that position you for future growth in the profession. You can earn a bachelor’s degree online as you continue to work and take your career to the next level. Your brighter future is possible with Herzing University.

Ranked #10 Best Health Care Support Jobs of 2025 by U.S. News & World Report

A Herzing University graduate receiving her diploma alongside a faculty member during a commencement ceremony, symbolizing academic excellence.

  • Career-focused curriculum

    Discover the crucial knowledge and skills required to succeed in your work and build a foundation for continued career growth.

  • Flexible schedule

    You can take classes during the day or in the evening.  We work hard to help you maintain school-life balance, striving to be as flexible as possible for busy non-traditional students.

  • Virtual services

    Access to extensive virtual services, including academic advising, tutoring, support services, technical support and library services.

  • Lifelong support

    We support your ongoing career advancement by providing comprehensive, personalized student services with lifelong career coaching.

  • Rolling admissions

    No application deadlines to worry about. Apply when you’re ready and prepare to get started soon.

Curriculum

Classes & curriculum details

The Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene – Bridge program is open to licensed dental hygienists who have completed an associate degree in dental hygiene from a CODA accredited program.

The goal of the program is to prepare students with the knowledge and higher-level skills to effectively lead, manage, and teach in the dental hygiene profession.

The curriculum gives students a path from an associate degree to a bachelor’s degree by completing the equivalent of one additional year of advanced curriculum.

Both required dental hygiene courses and general education courses are delivered online.

ProgramMonths iSemester Credits
Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene - Bridge12120

iAverage number of months for students to complete program

Required Courses in Dental Hygiene

All courses, 15.00 semester credit hours, are required.

This course is designed as an introduction to the role of evidence-based dentistry (EBD) and research. The two goals of this course are: 1) to develop skills in the scientific methods of research in an effort to develop evidence-based decision making for optimal patient care; and 2) to develop skills needed to critically assess current and relevant scientific literature in relation to research design and principles for individual patient care needs. To make this learning more meaningful, students will apply the knowledge gained to patient care.

This course focuses on cultural diversity and how to begin the journey of becoming culturally competent in our society. It examines our own cultural beliefs, values, and practices and other cultures in the dental healthcare system. This course will teach the student how to develop cultural competence by acquiring the ability to provide care to patients with diverse backgrounds, values, beliefs, and behaviors, including tailoring delivery of care to meet patients' social, cultural, and linguistic needs. The course is also designed to understand the concept of culture and the hygienist's cultural awareness of the relationships between Westernized medicine and traditional health practices and recognition of selected cultures within the United States. Providing quality patient care through understanding cultural differences will be explored.

This course focuses on exploring the various diagnostic, therapeutic, and educational uses of technology in dental hygiene. These technologies include digital radiographs, intra-oral images, automatic probes, and lasers used in dentistry. This course will show dental hygienists how to enhance their oral hygiene instructions with the use of technology.

Leadership is an essential part of the oral health profession, and developing leadership skills is a multifaceted undertaking. This course provides the students with the opportunity to explore the leadership theories, styles, behaviors, and attitudes that enhance the delivery of patient care and professional success. Specific content includes comparing and contrasting leadership and management, personal philosophy development, dental hygiene mentorship, strategic planning, shared governance, interdisciplinary collaboration, political action, professional and team development, and healthcare trends. This course will empower the student to take charge of their career and leadership potential.

This course examines current societal and professional issues and their impact on dental hygiene practice. Topics include, but are not limited to, advanced practice models to expand oral health services, counseling regarding smoking cessation, recent medical advances in the field of dentistry, and legal policy issues currently impacting dental hygiene.

This capstone course is designed to provide students an opportunity to synthesize, analyze, and apply their knowledge and skills through the design, implementation, and completion of a senior capstone. The student will create a paper or project that reflects comprehensive knowledge and ability to reflect, connect, and then produce work based on their learning experiences throughout the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene program.

Elective Courses in Dental Hygiene

3.00 semester credit hours are required.

This course examines educational theories, methodology, assessment, and competency-based education in dental hygiene. Specific topics include didactic instructional methodologies, clinical instructional methodologies, lesson planning, and formative and summative evaluation.  Students must perform a minimum of 22.5 hours of teaching observations.

This course examines elements needed to manage a successful clinical practice. Specific topics include finance for the dental clinic, marketing, human resource management and development, technology and the dental clinic, and theories of organizational management.  Students will be required to observe a dental office manager for a minimum of 22.5 hours.

Required Courses in Programmatic Support

13.00 semester credit hours are required.

This course focuses on the links that exist among strategy, organizational design, behavior, and human resource management in the healthcare environment. Students will learn about diversity, recruiting and retaining staff, job analysis, training and development, leadership development, physician practice management, medical staff relations, and labor relations.

The course will emphasize both legal questions and ethical considerations in the modern medical organization. Contracts and physician patient relationships will be addressed. Legal proceedings, such as interrogatories and depositions, will be described. In the area of medical ethics, the issues of patient confidentiality and standards will be addressed.

This course is designed to provide a forum for the contemporary issues related to healthcare. Improving access, ensuring quality, and controlling costs are addressed.

This course introduces benchmark leadership and management skills needed in today's health care organizations. Key topics include: leadership practices, human resource management, strategic planning, systems management, quality improvement, and professional communication and ethics.

This course is designed to introduce students to methodologies that will prepare them for academic and professional success.  Topics include but are not limited to Canvas support, student support services, e-books, university policies, resumes, self-reflection, time management, goal setting, and strategies for anxiety reduction.

This course provides an opportunity for students to critically examine their skills and develop a plan to further their career and own financial literacy. Topics include research, job searching, developing career documents, refining interview and communication skills, and creating a personal budget.

Required Courses in General Education

Students enrolled in this bachelor's degree program must complete the following 12 semester credit hours.

This course requires students to analyze discourse communities, execute a well-designed academic research project, apply reading strategies to academic texts, and use texts as models for writing.  Analyzing discourse communities involves identifying how communication conventions change in different contexts.  Designing and executing an academic research project involves formulating research questions, conducting primary and/or secondary research, synthesizing ideas from multiple sources, discussing findings, and presenting the results in APA format.  Applying reading strategies to academic texts involves using a process for reading, identifying text features, evaluating sources, and organizing reading notes.  Using texts as models for writing involves analyzing and imitating the scope, structure, methods, use of evidence, and tone common to academic writing.

This course builds on Introduction to Humanities and continues exploring how visual art, philosophy, music, religion, literature, and modern popular culture influence the formation of the individual and the cultural beliefs and social values evident in the world around us.  Students will use analysis skills to examine artifacts of popular culture from multiple perspectives, including examples from among these possible areas of analysis: social media and cyber-culture, popular music, contemporary literature, film, television, magazines, videos, advertising, and graphic novels.

This course presents the study of basic statistical theory and concepts. Topics include statistical probabilities, measures of central tendency, measures of variation, hypothesis testing, regression, and correlation.

This course will examine the influence of technological development on American society. Emphasis will be placed on analyzing political, ethical, religious, social, and intellectual implications of technology. Topics may include technologies related to: energy; environmental degradation; human population growth, warfare and law enforcement; personal privacy; artificial intelligence; medicine and bio-genetic engineering.

Tuition & Cost 

Tuition & Cost

The cost of tuition for the Dental Hygiene Bridge program is $530 per credit.

You can potentially earn even greater savings by transferring credit from prior college coursework, applying for financial aid, or potential partnership opportunities through your employer.

Our goal is your career advancement. That's why we are always working to improve our curriculum and processes to make our program as affordable as possible while preparing you best for success in your work.

  • Scholarships & Financial Aid

    You may be eligible for multiple scholarships and grants, both through Herzing University and several national scholarship websites.

    Find scholarships and grants  

  • Military/Veteran Discounts

    Veterans, Active Duty U.S. Servicemembers, and spouses may qualify for a 10% tuition discount or tuition reduction to $250 per credit.

    VA/Military benefits  

Herzing Dental Hygiene students with their instructor pose for a photograph

Requirements 

Admissions requirements

Prerequisites to enroll in the Herzing University Dental Hygiene Bridge program include:

  • Current dental hygienist certification. Applicants must be a Licensed Dental Hygienist (LDH) or Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH).
  • Prior education requirement. Completion of high school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
  • Entrance testing. Applicants must demonstrate the capacity to succeed in college-level courses via prior ACT/SAT scores, completion of prior college credit, or additional entrance testing.
  • Availability of time, personal commitment, and a professional attitude. We exist to help enthusiastic students fully committed to reaching their highest career goals. Our faculty and leadership are dedicated to helping you reach them.

You will need to meet and interview with a Herzing University admissions advisor and complete an enrollment application to be admitted into the program.

If you have any additional questions regarding admissions into the program, please contact our admissions team.

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and the Virgin Islands.

Classes Start: January 5th

Waived Enrollment Fee

Discover the educational pathway designed to maximize your career potential. Reach for greater heights with Herzing University.

Request Info Apply Now 

Your career success is possible.

It's never too late to better yourself, earn an education, and find the career path you've always wanted to walk. We exist to help you get there.

Watch video
Video cover
Watch video
Video cover
Locations

Program Finder

Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene - Bridge Degree Programs / Showing 1 program for the Online campus

  • Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene - Bridge

    Online

    To learn more about this program, click the Request Info button.

    Request Info

The Student Experience at Herzing

I love the dental hygiene program! I have learned so many new things!

Summer
Healthcare Student | Minneapolis Campus

 I came to Herzing at the age of 23. I wanted to be able to go to school in just 2 years and be done. I knew that I did not want to do hard labor for the rest of my life, but that seemed to be where I was going. I always thought I was not smart enough for the dental hygiene program. However, that was not the case at all. My family, teacher and fellow students were a tremendous support.  I just needed to apply myself at Herzing, and it has paid off. I love it, and I love my job! 

Tommy Mans
Healthcare Student | Minneapolis Campus
Disclosures

Accreditation & Disclosures

The Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) does not accredit stand-alone degree-completion (bridge) programs such as the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene-Bridge. The bridge program is available only to students who have already graduated from a CODA-accredited dental hygiene program with an associate degree and hold an active license, as well as being in good standing as a dental hygienist. (Students are advised to consult with employers of preference as to the importance of accreditation on their hiring decisions.)

Herzing University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

View Herzing University Accreditation and Approvals

Classes Start: January 5th

Waived Enrollment Fee

Discover the educational pathway designed to maximize your career potential. Reach for greater heights with Herzing University.

Request Info Apply Now